Nine exec turns down Abbott

David Gyngell
’s lobbyist-in-chief at Nine Entertainment Co,
Scott Briggs
, is Liberal Party royalty in NSW. He ran
Malcolm Turnbull
’s epic preselection against
Peter King
in 2003-2004 and was
Scott Morrison
’s deputy state director.

And he was all set to return to the Liberals’ William Street HQ, this time as state director. But having wavered back and forth for days, he has shocked Prime Minister
Tony Abbott
and Premier
Barry O’Farrell
by turning the offer down and remaining at Willoughby.

It is believed Briggs finally agreed to stay put after Gyngell offered him a bit part on The Voice.

Senior Liberals are furious, and there’s certainly no Plan B, with deputy federal director Julian Sheezel’s candidacy not even supported by his own boss,
Brian Loughnane
.